The Effect of Venom

Summary: When a snake at Soma's birthday party bites Ciel, it's up to a certain butler to put Ciel back to rights. Emotional and Physical Hurt/Comfort, Graphic.

Notes: This story accompanies the anime and manga of Kuroshitsuji, but mainly resides in the anime-verse. I have not been able to get my hand on a copy of Kuroshitsuji the manga because it is very hard to find around here. I haven't been able to find it any Books a Million or Barnes and Noble or even at any decrepit bookshops.

I have used a murder case back from 1896. It was probably the most horrific from that time…and it fits right in around the time of Kuroshitsuji. She's sometimes thought to be a "Jill the Ripper," of a woman, but in my opinion, she's almost worse than the infamous Jack. 1896…why 1896? I've read somewhere that Kuroshitsuji is based sometime around 1888. However, I haven't found this to be confirmed anywhere. Queen Victoria's reign lasted from 1837 to 1901. Albert died about 20 years after they were married but in the anime, we have the understanding that Prince Albert is dead. We also get the idea that she is older especially when we see her "dying," around Ash. I'm putting this around the 1890s just for accuracy and for the sake of my story. Ciel is 14.

If this story does well (I hope I don't drag it out too long) I might write another story (hurt/comfort obviously, but more on the emotional side) about Ciel and Sebby dealing with the case of the "Baby Butcher." It would make for a very emotional story, I would think. Lots and lots of angst.

Disclaimer: Oh no, I do not own Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler, no matter how much I wish I did. I swear, that show stirs up some of the most romantic, fangirlishness I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Yana Toboso gets major points for this series, though I do have to admit I loved her Rust Blaster as well even though it ended poorly.

The scritching and scratching of the pen against the monogrammed parchment was beginning to tire Ciel. The report of the latest case was lengthy and, as usual, much more tedious than the actual event, although more positive in a sense. He felt his eyelids droop felt a drip of ink land against the tip of his index finger.

He sighed and grabbed an ink blotting cloth on the side of the desk. He wiped off his finger and began again: "We have thusly solved the case of the 'Baby Butcher,' otherwise known as the infamous Amelia Dyer (1). The police report states that she was hung at Newgate Prison after her insanity plea was rejected. And good riddance…" He scratched out that last part. Too informal.

It was a terrible and abhorrent scene one that made him ill afterwards, and rendered him indisposed for the next few days. Sebastian had left him alone as he had said he wished, but in reality he wanted someone to wash away the nightmares of the infants' transparent and emaciated bodies, their mouths open as if they were trying desperately to cry, but couldn't. He remembered the white edging tape wrapped tightly about their necks like tightened nooses. Dyers had stated that, "that was how you could tell it was one of hers." He had remembered the smell the most: the house of "Mrs. Thomas," had reeked of disposed bodies; Ciel could hardly walk into her house at Reading (2) without gagging.

After unearthing the trafficked bodies and getting the help of Fred Abberline with Scotland Yard, he decided his job was done and left the premises as soon as he was able. Sebastian had insisted carrying him to the carriage, but Ciel had resisted this and forced himself to stagger into the carriage with the help of his cane. He would not lose his dignity in front of Scotland Yard. The ride back to the mansion made him ill and they had to stop mid-way. The fresh air was the only thing that made Ciel feel better; it was such a jarring change from the odor of death clouting them as they entered the house.

Once back home, Ciel remembered Sebastian help taking off his shoes, socks, necktie, and clothes, and allowing him to slip into his nightshirt even though it was far from his usual resting hour. Yet Sebastian did it all without question, without even so much as an explanation for his silence. And this sort of "take charge and ask no questions," behavior resumed into the 5th day of April.

Every appointment was canceled up until Easter and he was forced to make a public appearance on Easter Sunday, much to his and Sebastian's chagrin. Easter was never a day that Sebastian liked, and no wonder. If there was a place Sebastian would not venture, it was a church or cathedral, which was where Ciel always needed to be on Easter Sunday.

This was merely a formality to keep up appearances with high society, but it wasn't one either of them enjoyed, and Ciel despised it doubly this day due to this case. By the following Monday, Ciel was back on duty and resuming his work as the Queen's dog. His report would be filed on this day...if only he could get his mind on it. He longed so much for a distraction.

That distraction came when there was a soft knock on the door. "My Lord? There's a letter here for you." Ciel sighed in relief and said, "Fine, come in." Sebastian, donning the usual uniform, expression, and style, brought in the letter. Something was strange about this letter though, for it's envelope's style was too personal and almost pretentious.

"It's a letter Prince Soma, my Lord. It appears to be an invitation of some sort," Sebastian said, eyeing the purple and flowery envelope as Ciel cracked the wax seal. After Ciel opened it the envelope and eyed its contents he said, "It looks like we are invited to Prince Soma's coming-of-age party on April the 23rd. It seems as though he's been writing to his family about his 'friends in England,' and they, all 25 of his brothers and sisters, will be there. I can barely stand one Prince Soma, let alone 25 of them. Perhaps if I'm lucky there will be another series of murders and I'll be called upon again by the Queen."

This dark joke did not go overlooked by Sebastian, but he said nothing. Ciel had been relatively quiet up until this point about the disturbing murder case, but he hadn't expected any jokes to come from him. Humans were so strange and difficult to understand sometimes.

"It also says, 'I do not want any presents!'" Ciel read aloud. "He'll be expecting something; I suppose we'll have to make a special trip into London to find him a present."

Sebastian allowed a smirk to creep over his face. Although Prince Soma had humbled quite a lot since his arrival to England, he was still "Prince Soma," and there was nothing that could change that.

"I'll make arrangements to head out to London tomorrow, my Lord—"

"No," Ciel interrupted. "Today. I'll finish this report later tonight. I don't want to look at the report anymore at this time."

Sebastian cocked an eyebrow, but nodded and said, "Very good, My Lord. We shall go out immediately." Avoidance—Ciel didn't want the memories associated with the latest case, and that was understandable. However, Ciel was already late with the report and by the time it came to the Queen, she would probably have heard of the case simply by word-of-mouth. That would not sit well with her.

Sebastian retrieved Ciel's overcoat and top hat and ordered Bard to fetch the carriage. Within minutes, they were off. It was obvious that Ciel was relieved to be back in the fresh-air and out of the mansion. Perhaps this will be good for the young Master, Sebastian thought as he launched upwards towards the driver's seat of the carriage. Perhaps it will lighten his mood.

Or maybe only time could tell. No one, not even his butler could predict Ciel's future mood, much less understand his current one. Regardless, allowing him this leisure would be a fair attempt at lifting his spirits.

Notes: 1) Amelia Dyers is known as one of the most notorious murderesses EVER. Look it up on Wikipedia. I got my info from a scholarly article as well as Wiki. It's extremely disturbing. The woman was thought to have almost or over 400 victims at least. 2) Reading is the location of the home that was finally raided by police in 1896. It was said she was about to move to Somerset which means she had killed so many children that it was starting to "show" (smell as well) in the house. She would dispose of the bodies, but not before they started to smell. EUGH. Very, very disturbing. She was a greedy and morbid sadist. Look it up as to "why" she killed children. "The LOVE of money is the root of all evil."

Author's Notes: I hope you enjoyed this first chapter of The Effect of Venom. Please read and review!